swimming for fitness

[HoppityFrogs]

I've started swimming to get fit, does anybody else swim for fit? Can we encourage each other?

hissy I tried the head thing. Got water up my nose, but bum went up (bob bob bob) and it did make a difference. Also I could see what my arms were doing under the water more easily and work on them.
1K in 27 mins.

Saw one of the swim teachers in the changing rooms and he told me I was an ok swimmer!! Yay.

Forgot my knickers. Again!

Hissy I tried the head down thing this morning too and could really feel a difference – my feet were much nearer the surface. Thank you! This morning I did 40 lengths (1.3km / 0.8 miles) in just under 29 mins so I was very pleased. I've decided to try to build up to 48 lengths = 1 mile. I already quite often do 42 lengths when I'm not sure I've counted correctly and do a couple more just in case. So it is really another 6 (I'm telling myself). I always count in batches of 10. Somehow it feels a lot less onerous!

66 lengths done. But most significantly managed 100 metres front crawl continuously. Twice. Feel brilliant!

Amazing Weegie! Well done

20 lengths today, I might go for a swim tonight.
Well done on the 66 lengths :)

Well done Weegie!
Does it count as continuous if you slow to turn and push off?
What about if you have to slow, wriggle round the edge of the loop before you head off again. Does that count? I'm asking for myself, not questioning your accuracy!

Another Q. I've been wearing my goggle too tightly, leaving deep, dark rings when I remove them. This is preferable to the water getting in, but am I damaging the delicate skin round my eyes do you think?

eno Twice in one day! That's good going.

I will run later.

😂

rights the sets are 4 blocks of 4 lengths , pause after each block for no longer than the time it takes to take 12 breaths.

Continuous is touch the end and go

In terms of fitness, - small pause for breath (few seconds) means it's a continuous as the heart rate remains at the same level.

I do 'touch the end and go' , it makes me feel less bad about only doing 20 or 32 lengths.
I did 40 lengths in two sessions today.

Well by your definitions I am absolute fucking swimming ninja!

I did 40 lengths today, woop! Smashed my target!

Forgot my purse so couldn't stay on after lesson, but I spent some lengths really slow and focussing on arms, breathing slowly and keeping going.

I had 2 of those perfect laps where it all came good and it was wonderful.

I may go back tomorrow to do my slow 700m for the end of week 1. I'm swimming on Saturday anyway, but new pool.. so unknown. Need to feel at home to swim my best!

Hi all - any room for a newbie?
I started last week, am using the Zoggs 'calm' schedule (easier than the zero to 1k), which is swimming 50m in a 'relaxed' manner (ha ha), then resting for 30 seconds.
I'm so unfit, and, having spent the last 9 months re-habbing an arthritic shoulder, am taking it gradually rather than push myself to do more then having a bad flare-up.
It's so inspiring to read all these tales of achievement; will be aiming for a twice-weekly swim and still doing the gym sessions, which are weights-based. I'm loving the feeling of having strength in my upper body, but need to work on the rest now for balance!

You are very welcome Shotgun. Hope you enjoy the swimming!

Thanks! For goggles sufferers: you might already know this, but the test for whether a goggle is right for you is to put them on leaning forward, without using the strap. If they stay on they'll have a good seal. If only you could tear open the packets in shops to try them out!
I have deepset eyes and high cheekbones, so have always been plagued by leaks, and would pull the straps tifhter and tighter, leaving panda marks for the rest of the day. Extensive googling resulted in a pair of Aqua Sphere Eagles, which go outside the socket and so far seal perfectly.
The old-fashioned Swedish ones ate meant to be good, apparently a lot of pro swimmers use them, but you have to put them together yourself which sounds like a bit of a faff.

I love my Aquasphere Eagles as I don't get the horrible marks.

Am booking a 1:1 session with a swim coach to see if I can improve my stroke which will be interesting.

I'd love a coaching sesh. Our pool has a Masters club with poolside coaches; the poster says you have to be able to swim at least 2 lengths, but I'm convinced everyone there will be a ninja swimmer - don't want to be struggling at the back. Something to aim for though.

This is in one of those endless pools, so nice and private! The same coach (and a few others locally) do small group sessions which are possibly less scary than a masters club. But as I swim one armed (due to disability) I need a rather more personalised session!

Sounds good - maybe when I can swim freestyle non-stop for 30 mins I'll treat myself as a reward.
(In recent years my record has been four lengths non-stop - gotta start somewhere though!)

Well it's been glorious here today, so have made the most of it and been swimming and reading all afternoon 😎

Shotgun, go get yourself in that masters programme!

If you can swim 100m nonstop, you're ready.

Yes some of them might be better than you, but even if you're the slowest/less able today, in 6m time you won't be. It'll be someone else!

Without exception, every single swimmer who is now better than you was worse than you at some point... you have as much right to be there as they do.

When I hit my mile, I'm giving myself permission to buy myself a Garmin swim watch

Better start saving! 😂

For thos of you interested in a Facebook swimming group, I can't recommend Zeroto1mile highly enough. Some serious swimmers there who are absolutely unbelievably supportive of us minnows!

Turns out they struggle with breathing both sides tho, or leg strength... So me and my lessons and the tips I get help them out sometimes!!

They've helped me believe I can hit 10k in November.

Wow that's encouraging - thanks Hissy! Will aim to at least contact them & find out what the programme is and take it from there.
I do think it'd be a bit premature to call myself a master when I've only been twice during this particular health kick .
That said, I'm hoping my revelatory experiences as a result of going to the gym mean it's not a health kick as much as a new mindset and way of life. Time will tell I suppose.

I don't suffer with sealing issues but always get horrid goggle marks and always have. My friends when we were young never did, or got Iight ones which faded quickly, whilst I always look like I've been punched in the face for hours

I always think it must be because I'm so pale, but is there any hope?